If you guys have been keeping up with my skincare segments, you would know that my main reason for skincare product hopping is because I would preferably like to find products that are natural and help with my acne and the overall dullness of my skin. I discovered a Lush store in the local mall upon moving in with my fiance. Lured in by the packaging, nice smells, and promise of natural products, I started my relationship with the Lush brand.

The first cleanser I was suggested by the clerk was Angels on Bare Skin. I was really there for Herbalism, but they were all sold out. When I told her about my acne and brightness problems, she immediately reached for the container and told me she used it all the time.

My first impression of using Angels on Bare Skin is that it was kind of a pain to use. Some of Lush’s cleansers are what they call “cleansing rolls” and you have to take a small pinch of the product and roll on your hand with a couple of drops of water. You roll it until it turns into a paste then rub it into your damp skin. As you can imagine, I soon learned that this was very messy and started only using it in the shower.

I liked the smell just fine. It smelled like lavender and somewhat herbal. But after using the whole tub of this stuff, I saw no change in my acne or any improvement in the brightness of my skin. I wouldn’t buy this product again.

I love using toners. They are actually my favorite part of my skincare routine. After I use a cleanser, they get any part of your face you might have missed and they make the face feel so fresh. I opted for the Eau Roma Water Toner from Lush because tea tree never works for my acne. I’ve had really good luck with rosewater based toners for brightening and acne. They also smell really great.

I found that I had better luck with cheaper rosewater toners than this one. There was no change in my acne nor did it help with the dullness. Though it did smell good, I wouldn’t buy this again either.

A clerk suggested this moisturizer to me when I told her I had oily skin. Lush’s moisturizers are very expensive, so I left with a sample. I’m really glad I didn’t buy a whole container. I just can’t get past the smell. This stuff smells really funky! Not to mention, I didn’t like how it felt under make up and I could just get a cheaper moisturizer that I actually like.

I really liked this product…at first. When I bought my first bottle, it did really help keep my acne at bay. However, when I bought my second bottle I noticed that the scent was off. I actually liked this scent a lot better, however since these products are handmade I was guessing that the ingredient ratio was off. The second batch really didn’t do as good and I have since discovered that products with stronger acne fighting ingredients help my skin better anyway. So, this is another one I won’t be buying again.

Just because I didn’t like any of these products doesn’t mean I have totally given up on Lush. I actually have a lot more products from them to review and will try more. What I have learned is that a Lush facial routine isn’t for me and sometimes cheaper brands are the way to go.

Today, after I got out of the shower and got ready for a shift at Sylvan, I got a call from the boss saying I couldn’t work there. I needed a teaching certificate. You can imagine the anguish I felt. So, I decided that’s it. I’m going to take the test that will allow me to work at the public library. You see, I’d been putting it off because it seemed like more trouble than what it was worth. However, when I went to the website to read on what I needed to know about the test, I discovered that I had been looking at the wrong library position. I want to be a library tech and I was looking at the library page position. The test that the library tech has to take covers reading comprehension, communication skills, and problem solving. That will be a walk in the park for me!

So, I’ll be taking the exam in September. I’m actually much more excited about this because I’ve always wanted to work in a library. The pay, hours, and benefits will be much better too.

With that being said, there was one thing I forgot to include in my reviews yesterday.

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Light Oil

Wow! I love this stuff! I got the idea to buy this from Asian beauty trends. They do a method called “double cleansing.” Basically, they cleanse their face with a cleansing oil like this one before they wash with a face wash. This cleansing oil does a great job of removing make up, especially the stubborn eye make up. It also makes my face much brighter, which is something I need. I plan to put this in my regular routine once I get rid of my Noxema Cleansing Cream. The smell is amazing too! I’m debating on whether or not to buy a face wash from the Face Shop. Since, I have so much stuff already. Maybe if I’m not satisfied with the Body Shop. Try Amazon to order, much cheaper.

Hi Blog Friends! I know I’ve been M.I.A. lately and haven’t been blogging much. I’ve been doing my freelance writing and have finally gotten a little break from that. Yesterday, I sat in on a session in Sylvan and tomorrow I sign my paperwork and start my first day. I’m really excited about finally being able to work and I think it’s something I could enjoy. I know I won’t be making much because Sylvan only calls you when they need you, but they are short on tutors now. Not to mention, I’ll have my freelance writing to pick up the slack. This way I can earn some extra cash to help Michael and I and I won’t lose my services for my disabilities.

Since I had to go in yesterday for a test run, I got all fancy and got to use one of the other beauty products I got from Target and I’ll finally tell you guys about the cleansing milk I got from Etsy. I’ve also been using a couple of new moisturizers. So, today we will be discussing E.L.F.’s Expert Liquid Eyeliner, the Cleansing Milk from GoodEarthEssentials on Etsy, White Tea Extract Face Cream from LeeAnnsHeavenScents on Etsy, and the Body Shop’s Vitamin E Illuminating Moisture Cream.

E.L.F’s Expert Liquid Eyeliner

I really love E.L.F.’s products. Most of them are really good and their prices are very affordable. I bought this liquid liner because I don’t have the best luck with pencils. Another one of my friends that has motor skill issues tipped me off about it. I tried it and loved it! It was much easier to apply and it was much more dramatic, really making my eyes pop. I just put a little translucent powder over it and it held up longer. Definitely a keeper.

GoodEarthEssential’s White Rose Ultra Gentle Cleansing Milk

I bought this cleanser when I realized how sensitive my skin gets with redness. I’m still using it up with the Vitamin E line from the Body Shop that my fiance bought me for our anniversary. The Vitamin E line is superior to this cleanser. When I used this cleanser on its own, it would calm my face for a little while, but by the end of the day, my face was red again. But maybe it just doesn’t agree with my skin. It does feel great on skin (especially if you leave it in your fridge) and the scent is light and wonderful. If you think it might help you, look it up on Etsy and read on it.

LeeAnnsHeavenScent’s White Tea Extract Moisturizer

This was a much better moisturizer than the one I had been previously using (African Black Soap Brand). It calms my skin well, hydration is great, and the smell is great. I don’t know if this will be my go to night cream yet though. I have some more to try out from the Body Shop. It is in the running though.

the Body Shop’s Vitamin E Illuminating Moisture Cream

When I read the reviews for this moisturizer, some people didn’t like it because of what it actually does. It’s “illuminating” and what it means by that is that it gives a neon shine to your face. I think it is kind of cool, so I use it as a “going out” moisturizer. If you put make up over it, you won’t see the shine, but it does make my foundation more smooth. I’m going to try putting a little over my foundation for a dewy finish. My fiance loves it on me too and it’s great for giving a glow when you’re going out but don’t want to wear foundation. I think it’s a keeper.

Hello everyone! Today marks the third year anniversary of the day my fiance and I started dating. We celebrated yesterday by going to the huge mall in our city, unfortunately, the trip was cut short by a very annoying stomach bug that decided to infect me. Ironically, it hit me right after Michael (fiance) bought me my anniversary present. But more about the present later.

Naturally, I got all dolled up for the occasion and I got to try on a lot of my new goodies, so I’m just going to put them in one razor review! Here we go!

E.L.F. Retractable Kabuki Brush

E.L.F. has a great line of products and their prices are very affordable. I recently purchased a new kabuki brush, but I saw this one at Target and since it was “retractable,” I wanted to give it a try. This E.L.F. brush blows my Walmart bought one right out of the water!

I was able to put on my translucent powder, foundation powder, and blush all just using this one brush! It blended wonderfully and made me look great! I also loved the retractable feature because it will stay cleaner and it is also vegan! Win, win!

AddictiveCosmetics Finishing Translucent Powder in Pearl

This stuff is wonderful and now is one of my favorite make-up supplies. I put it on before applying foundation for hold and then after the foundation because the pearl gives it a nice glow finish. I even sprinkled some over my lipstick and it HELD! Of course, I chose AddictiveCosmetics on Etsy because of her stance on making her items vegan. I can’t wait to try it on eyeliner to see if it holds. I just wasn’t up to wearing any yesterday.

E.L.F. Lengthening and Defining Mascara

Truth be told, I don’t really need a lengthening and defining mascara because I have long lashes, but this E.L.F. brand is extremely easy for me to use with my motor skill problems due to cerebral palsy. I always have trouble using mascara and eyeliner, but this was great and made me look good!

AddictiveCosmetics FIXIT Eye Shadow Primer

Just spray this on your eyelids and wait thirty seconds. I used this wrong by putting it on over the eye shadow, but guess what…it still worked! Best eye shadow primer I’ve ever used. My eye shadow stayed on great. I’ll use it right next time!

Nyx Dewy Finish Make-Up Setting Spray

I bought this setting spray because I was sold on the promise of dew. It is more expensive than the E.L.F. one I have, but I do think it does make my make-up look a bit more glow like. I’ll do more experiments on both and update on which one I prefer.

Wow! How lucky was I that I loved all of this stuff? Now, I’m sure you guys are all wondering what my anniversary present was. You guys will all see how far my obsession goes. Michael bought me a whole line of skin care products from the Body Shop. I know, I know. I already have so much! But I talked to a clerk and explained my skin issues and she gave a recommendation. That review will be coming soon.

I may very well have rosacea because the dryness from it causes skin to itch. We’ll see how it goes. I felt so bad that he dropped $36 dollars for the kit and then had to take care of me all night!

Oh! I’m also employed now as a freelance writer! I start tomorrow. Guess what my first assignment is. SKINCARE. Hahahaaha!

Not the best picture of me because we couldn’t get any good light and I was NOT in a good mood at the time. But I feel fine now! As for this shade, it had me looking a little too pale. Which is funny because I thought it was going to be darker than the ivory. But it is on the lighter side of the beiges…

I also noticed this stuff makes lines and comes off easily when you cry. I already have the solution to that on the way! I ordered some of AddictiveCosmetic’s translucent powder along with my eye shadow primer, I can’t wait to see how it holds!

Look at me in my Fight Club shirt! My shirt is slightly messy and I have a big smile on my face because I had just tried on my first out of three samples of mineral foundation powder. As I mentioned before, I’m just not loving my normal brand of foundation anymore. It just wasn’t giving me the coverage that I want and the liquid foundation always felt heavy and was even worse when I was in the sun. Not to mention, I’m trying to go vegan with all of my skincare products.

I see why this place is called AddictiveCosmetics because it is going to be my new addiction. I did have a bit of trouble with the powder because I didn’t have the proper type of brush to handle this kind of foundation. But next time this shouldn’t be an issue because I had the fiance run me to Walmart to buy me a kabuki brush and some Simple Mineral Water Cleanser (but that’s for another post). So, next time I won’t have a mess on my shirt and heavy handed coverage.

As you can see, even though it’s caked on thicker because of my inferior brush, it still looks razor (once again for those just joining us that’s my slang for cool, beautiful, etc.). It was a bit difficult to get the foundation on to the brush because the samples are small, but this won’t be a problem when I buy the full container.

I ordered the three sample package in order to find the right shade. I have Ivory 4 in Matte, Beige 1 in Matte, and Beige 2 in Glow. This one is the Ivory 4 in Matte, I will be using the next two and will be posting pictures and maybe a little commentary. After that, I’ll be buying a full container of the best shade in glow most likely. I think I might like it more than matte.

The great thing about this foundation is that I don’t even feel like I am wearing it and thus I didn’t feel like I was baking when we went out! AddictiveCosmetics claims that the foundation will stay on all day. I just checked a mirror and it still looks flawless from when I put it on this morning. Dare I say it…yes…this is the best foundation I have ever tried!